Your business listed on local recommendation/user review sites still needs its own website

business owner at computer thinkingThink:  How many times have you googled a particular business and found, instead of a link to its own website, a listing for it on such community review-oriented websites as Yelp, Urbanspoon, Kudzu, Decidio, Superpages, Citysearch and a myriad of other sites?

If you’re like me, way too many times to count.

And if you’re like me, it irks the crap out of you to find no direct link on these “community” sites or elsewhere in search engine results to the official website for that business.

Reviews, sure.  Street …

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Got a home business you’re starting? Don’t skip #1 ‘Must Do’

man and woman in front of computerA military couple I know is currently in the process of transitioning their careers from active duty to civilian life by starting a home-based bakery business.

James and Antoinette are hoping that by the early part of 2012, they will be able to comfortably roll their efforts into a successful operation.

So far, they’re doing well enough with their home baking business, selling exquisitely-made cakes, cookies, exotic pies and breads to their friends, neighbors and a handful of personnel working at their respective Navy commands.

They’ve financed alterations to the …

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Commercial websites must stand behind promotional offers or lose loyalty from customers in the process

Analyzing repeat customer conversion rate reportsLate last June we bought a large HDTV from a popular electronics website, responding to a terrific deal that also offered a $100 rebate with the purchase.

We’ve only sporadically bought from this website in the past but never experienced a single problem.

The ordering process itself was a breeze.  The evolution from purchase point to transaction completion couldn’t have been smoother.  Email confirmations and shipping/tracking info?

Flawlessly executed.

The problem?

The $100 rebate promised with in 7-10 days has yet to be received.

Yes, all these weeks after the …

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Panda: Will Google’s latest algorithm cause your website’s success to suffer?

Panda update I’m going to really step out here and boldly state that the answer to that question is absolutely not.

You don’t need the new Google Panda algorithm for your website to be successful. You don’t have to think about Panda, worry about it or give it a second of your time.

Yes, even though a plethora of others out there are scrambling like crazy to get their websites back on track after being “Pandified” – i.e. having their websites thrust downward in search engine results by this periodic blood-thirsty …

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Simple concepts bring successful results in business website design

 

Ordinary, unfangled theory that makes a lot of sense when it comes to establishing an online business presence:

The more you go with simple concepts for your website, the better your results will be.

Customers love simplicity. They yearn for simplicity when they’re visiting your website.

They look for it and even thrive on it.

Your online search engine marketing strategy begins with simple selling techniques and a website that is keyword focused from start to finish.   Therefore, when it comes to business web design:

  • Concentrate on the KISS

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An internet presence means good business for increasing profit and brand recognition

people posing as website models “Giving my business a presence on the Web was the best move I ever made.”

You’ll find this kind of statement often featured in advertising by internet technology companies who have assembled a variety of good-looking models to resemble their own satisfied customers.

And they definitely look good.

The models representing business owners we see in these ads all have nice smiling faces. They are all dressed smartly and really great posers.  These beautiful professionals were chosen to urge you “to jump on the bandwagon…get your business online…Hey, bud…the

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Business website design is not a one-shot deal

Computer design drawings, mouse, keyboardKeeping your business website updated and  operating efficiently is crucial to establishing a solid, profitable presence online.

You don’t stick a website on the side of the Information Superhighway (the good ol’ Web to you and me) like it’s a billboard and expect it to promote your business in an actively profitable way.

And yet, a lot of business owners out there insist on doing just that.

Experts agree it’s an extremely bad business website decision  to neglect giving your website consistent maintenance checks and regular design updates.

Outdated, stagnant

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Homespun business websites need professional edge to compete

Seems everybody has a son, a brother, cousin or nephew who builds  websites on the side.

When these relatives design a website for a business or an organization, the owners of these sites think it’s “good enough” as-is.  Especially in those instances that someone from a professional web design firm contacts them about updating their existing sites.

They tend to be defensive – almost argumentative – about being approached by such a firm because they have a homespun website that they insist is “good enough” just the way it is.…

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Evaluate your own business website by – shhh! – secretly shopping your competition

Woman at computer doing mystery shoppingEvery year I do something many of my website colleagues think is a little crazy.

I visit the websites of my competitors and I crawl over them at a painstaking pace.  I study and privately critique every little nook and cranny on those websites.

Then I make purchases from them.

Sometimes those purchases are extremely small in terms of dollars and cents.  Other times I’ll drop $50 to $100 and more.   Frequently I will find a reason to complain just to see how strong their customer service skills are.  I …

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Expert web design requires just that…an expert

man upset about web design at computer

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.“  ~ Alexander Pope

Last year, I undertook what I thought would be a fun and easy project.  I took on the task of putting together a subject-specific website for a family member trying to win a little contest at his workplace.

Entrants only had to write a convincing, creative story about their workplace and the winner would be granted three days of extra vacation.  However, this family member wanted something better.  More elaborate.  Something that was creatively so “out there” …

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